Grips for a Handle on a Hockey Stick

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are grip devices, grip members and a set of grip devices for the handle of a hockey stick. The grips generally are a hollow member with a substantially cuboidal body adapted to receive the handle therein. The devices have an outer surface and a bore defining a cuboidal inner surface therein with proximal and distal open ends. A slit is formed into the bore between the open ends through which the handle is securely and removably received. The outer diameter of the grip is uniform along the length. The grip may have a stop member formed within the bore.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of sports andsports equipment. Specifically, the present invention relates to a gripfor handled sports equipment, for example, a baseball bat, a golf cluband a hockey stick, that facilitates strength development through thenatural movements of the sport.

Description of the Related Art

Exercise grips for strength training of the hands and muscles in thearms are known in the art. For example, one can exercise and strengthenthe hands with a compressible hand-grip strengthener, or spring-loadedcompressible grips designed for a weightlifting bar to improve stabilityin the grip and strengthen the grip during a weightlifting session ordesigned to be placed on the handles of sports equipment during practiceor training sessions. However, particularly, training for a sport thatrequires swinging handled equipment requires a high level of awarenessor concentration in their use, including proper grip, stance, movementof the equipment and safety when in use, to develop one's strength andoverall skill via the correct repetition of an action or activity. Therequirement of having to physically compress the grip in order to secureit to the handle or weightlifting bar focuses the concentration of theuser onto compressing the grip and not to the actual motion the user istrying to replicate during a practice or training session and creates anadded step or requirement for the grip to be functional. This is neitherpractical nor, more importantly, effective in developing strength duringthe normal repetition of an activity in a training exercise as it doesnot permit replication of the actual activity as normally required.

Such a situation can occur when using a spring-actuated jawed orsleeve-like grip designed to encircle the handle on sports equipmentdesigned to be swung. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,128,542 B2 and U.S.Publication No. 2010/0197470 A1 both disclose an exercise grip devicethat is a tube-like member with a lengthwise opening and a springpreformed to an open relaxed position. The exercise grip device isdesigned for use with a single hand and when placed around the handle, auser must compress and maintain compression in the closed position tokeep the handle in place to strengthen the hand and arm. To exercise theother hand, a user must reposition the grip device so that the handnaturally grips it when properly placed on the handle.

Therefore, the prior art is deficient in a grip device for handledsports equipment that improve and strengthen the grip thereon.Particularly, the art is deficient in a grip that strengthens the gripof both hands simultaneously and strengthens the fingers, wrists,forearm, and upper arm muscles when the grip is placed on the handlewithout the necessity of constantly squeezing the grip beyond itsrelaxed configuration while swinging or otherwise moving the equipment.The present invention fulfills this longstanding need and desire in theart.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a grip device for a shaft on ahockey stick. The grip device comprises a hollow member with asubstantially cuboidal body, a proximal open end and a distal open end.The hollow member comprises an outer surface, a bore that defines acuboidal inner surface therein and a length extending between theproximal open end and the distal open end and a slit disposed throughthe outer surface to the bore along the length of the hollow member. Theouter surface and the inner surface each have a uniform perimeter alongthe length of the hollow member from the proximal open end to the distalopen end to securely and removably receive the shaft of the hockey sticktherein.

The present invention is directed to a related grip device furthercomprising a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on thecuboidal inner surface of the bore adapted to grip the shaft of thehockey stick when placed thereon. The present invention is directed toanother related device further comprising a texture formed on the outersurface of the hollow member.

The present invention also is directed to a grip device for a stickhandle on a hockey stick. The grip member comprises a hollow member witha substantially cuboidal body, a proximal open end and a distal openend. The hollow member comprises an outer surface with a uniformperimeter along a length of the hollow member from the proximal open endto the distal open end and a bore that defines a cuboidal inner surfacetherein and comprises a stop member with an opening therethrough that isformed from the inner surface that defines a pocket within the borenearer to the proximal open end and a length extending between theproximal open end and the distal open end equal to the length along theouter surface of the hollow member. A slit is disposed through to thebore along the length of the hollow member to securely and removablyreceive the stick handle of the hockey stick therein.

The present invention is directed to a related grip device furthercomprising a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on thecuboidal inner surface distal to the pocket adapted to grip the stickhandle when placed thereon. The present invention is directed to anotherrelated device further comprising a texture formed on the outer surfaceof the hollow member.

The present invention is directed further to a set of grip devices for ahockey stick. The set comprises a first grip member and a second gripmember each comprising a substantially cuboidal hollow body with anouter surface and having a length extending between a proximal open endand a distal open end thereon and having a uniform perimeter along thelength thereof and a bore that defines a cuboidal inner surface thereinwith a length extending between the proximal open end and the distalopen end equal to the length extending along the outer surface. A slitis disposed through the outer surface to the bore along the length ofthe hollow body. The second grip member further comprises a stop memberwith an opening therethrough that is formed from the cuboidal innersurface and defines a pocket within the bore.

The present invention is directed to a related grip device furthercomprising a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on thecuboidal inner surface of the first grip member adapted to grip theshaft of the hockey stick when placed thereon. The present invention isdirected to a related grip device further comprising a plurality ofnub-like protuberances disposed on the cuboidal inner surface of thesecond grip member distal to the pocket adapted to grip the stick handleof the hockey stick when placed thereon. The present invention isdirected to yet another related device further comprising a textureindependently formed on the outer surface of the first grip member andthe outer surface of the second grip member.

Other and further aspects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following description of thepresently preferred embodiments of the invention given for the purposeof disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the matter in which the above-recited features, advantages andobjects of the invention, as well as others that will become clear, areattained and can be understood in detail, more particular descriptionsof the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference tocertain embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appendeddrawings. These drawings form a part of the specification. It is to benoted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate preferredembodiments of the invention and therefore are not to be consideredlimiting in their scope.

FIGS. 1A-1C show a front view (FIG. 1A), a back view (FIG. 1B) and aperspective view (FIG. 1C) of a grip device for a handle on a baseballbat.

FIGS. 2A-2C show FIGS. 1A-1C, respectively, with a textured patternformed on the outer surface.

FIGS. 3A-3D are cross-sections of FIG. 1A showing alternateconfigurations (FIGS. 3A-3B) of the bore and alternate configurations ofthe open ends (FIGS. 3C-3D) of the grip device.

FIG. 4 illustrates how the grip device is positioned on the handle ofthe baseball bat.

FIGS. 5A-5F show different views of a handle grip for a golf club andthe textured pattern formed on the outer surface (FIGS. 5A-5C) and across-section showing the configuration of the bore (FIG. 5D) andalternate configurations of the open ends (FIGS. 5E-5F) of the handlegrip.

FIGS. 6A-6E are different views of a first grip device for the shaft ofhockey stick showing a perspective view (FIG. 6A), proximal and distalopen ends (FIG. 6A-6B), the textured pattern formed on the top andbottom surfaces (FIGS. 6A, 6C), a cross-section showing the slitenabling the first grip device to flex open (FIG. 6D), and across-section illustrating the smooth inner surface (FIG. 6E).

FIGS. 6F-6J show different views of a second grip device for the stickhandle and knob on a hockey stick showing a perspective view of the gripwith stop member and pocket (FIG. 6F), proximal and distal open ends(FIG. 6G-6H), a cross-section showing the first slit enabling the secondgrip device to flex open (FIG. 6I), and a cross-section illustrating thelocation of the pocket in the bore (FIG. 6J).

FIGS. 6K-6M are different views of the second grip member illustratingthe disposition of a plurality of nub-like protuberances on the cuboidalinner surface.

FIGS. 6N-6O illustrate how the first grip device and the second gripdevice are positioned on the shaft and on the stick handle and knob of ahockey stick.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein in the specification, “a” or “an” may mean one or more.As used herein in the claim(s), when used in conjunction with the word“comprising”, the words “a” or “an” may mean one or more than one.

As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” when used in conjunction withthe term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification, may referto “one”, but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more”,“at least one”, and “one or more than one”. Some embodiments of theinvention may consist of or consist essentially of one or more elements,components, method steps, and/or methods of the invention.

As used herein, the term “or” in the claims refers to “and/or” unlessexplicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternativesare mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definitionthat refers to only alternatives and “and/or”.

As used herein, terms “comprise” and “comprising” are used in theinclusive, open sense, meaning that additional elements may be included.

As used herein, term “including” is used herein to mean “including, butnot limited to”. “Including” and “including but not limited to” are usedinterchangeably.

As used herein, the term “about” refers to a numeric value, including,for example, whole numbers, fractions, and percentages, whether or notexplicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range ofnumerical values (e.g., ±5-10% of the recited value) that one ofordinary skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value(e.g., having the same function or result). In some instances, the term“about” may include numerical values that are rounded to the nearestsignificant figure. In a non-limiting example, when referring to thebore of the grip device or handle grip for a baseball bat, a diameter of0.82 inches or 26/32 inches or 0.91 inches or 29/32 inches or 0.97inches or 31/32 is within the scope of about 0.80 inches to about 1 inchas is 0.75 inches or 24/32 inches. When referring to the length of thegrip device or handle grip, a length of 8.67 inches is within the scopeof a length of about 8.5 inches for a baseball bat grip. In othernon-limiting examples, when referring to the grip device for a hockeystick, a length of 4.1 inches or 7.43 inches is within the scope ofabout 4.5 inches to about 6.75 inches and, when referring to theproximal open end of the grip device, a diameter of 1.1 inches or 2.8,as rounded, is within the scope of 1.2 inches to about 2.6 inches.

As used herein, the terms “grip device”, “handle grip”, “grip member,and “device” are used interchangeably and refer to a device or object,for example, but not limited to, a hollow member placed on, around, orover a handle on sports equipment.

As used herein, the term “sports equipment” refers to handled equipment,for example, but not limited to, a baseball bat, a golf club, a hockeystick, or a tennis racquet.

As used herein, the terms “proximal” and “distal” in reference to thegrip devices, grip members and handle grips disclosed herein refer tothose components, features, parts and aspects thereof that are nearer ornearest to or farther or farthest from the parts or portions of thesports equipment that are hand held, respectively.

As used herein, the terms “front” and “back” in reference to the gripdevice, grip member and handle grip disclosed herein refer to the part,portion or side thereof comprising the slit through which the handle onthe sports equipment is inserted and the part, portion or side oppositethe front, respectively.

As used herein, the term “nub-like protuberances” refers to a pluralityof small rounded knobs formed on the inner surface, as defined by thebore, of the grip device, grip member and handle grip. Each of thenub-like protuberances when in contact with the handle on sportsequipment maintain the position of the grip device, grip member andhandle grip via friction or a gripping force.

As used herein, the term “cuboidal” refers to a solid or rectangularprism that has six rectangular faces at substantially right angles toeach other.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a gripdevice for a handle on sports equipment, comprising a hollow member witha substantially cylindrical body having an outer surface and a bore thatdefines an inner surface therein, a proximal open end and a distal openend, where the outer surface comprises a slit therethrough to the boredisposed lengthwise from the open proximal end to the open distal end,where the bore is sized and shaped to securely and removably receive thehandle on the sports equipment.

Further to this embodiment the grip device comprises a plurality ofnub-like protuberances disposed on the inner surface adapted to grip thehandle when placed thereon. In another further embodiment, the gripdevice comprises a texture formed on the outer surface of the hollowmember.

In all embodiments the sports equipment is a baseball bat. Also, thebore may have a uniform diameter from the proximal open end to thedistal open end. Particularly, the uniform diameter is about 0.80 inchesto about 1 inch. Also, the bore may comprise a proximal portion and adistal portion formed therefrom such that a diameter of the bore at theproximal open end is greater than the diameter of the distal portion ofthe bore, where the diameter at the proximal open end tapers to equalthe diameter of the distal portion. Particularly, the diameter at theproximal open end of the bore may be greater than 1 inch to about 1.5inches and the diameter of the distal portion of the bore may be about0.80 inches to about 1 inch. In addition the proximal open end and thedistal open end of the hollow member each may be substantially flatacross an outer surface thereof. Furthermore either the proximal openend or the distal open end, each at an outer surface thereof, may bebeveled inwardly to the bore.

Also in all embodiments, the hollow member may have a length and anouter diameter sufficient to accommodate both hands of a user grippedthereon when the grip device is placed on the handle of the sportsequipment. Particularly, the length is about 8.5 inches and the outerdiameter is about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches. In addition the hollowmember is designed to conform to a shape of the handle on the sportsequipment in a non-slipping relationship when the handle is receivedtherein.

In another embodiment of the present invention there is provided ahandle grip for a baseball bat, comprising a tubular sleeve having aproximal open end and a distal open end each with an outer diameter, atextured outer surface and a bore defining an inner surface from theproximal open end to the distal open end and with a plurality ofnub-like protuberances disposed on the inner surface, where the bore hasa uniform diameter from the proximal open end to the distal open endless than the outer diameter, where the tubular sleeve has a slitdisposed lengthwise from the proximal open end to the distal open endthrough to the bore.

In this embodiment the outer diameter may be about 2.5 inches and theuniform diameter along the bore may be about 0.80 inches to about 1inch. Also the tubular sleeve may have a length and an outer diametersufficient to accommodate simultaneously both hands of a user grippedthereon when the tubular sleeve is placed on the handle of the baseballbat. Particularly, the length is about 8.5 inches and the outer diameteris about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches. In addition, the proximal openend and the distal open end of the tubular sleeve each may besubstantially flat across an outer surface thereof. Furthermore, eitherthe proximal open end or the distal open end, each at an outer surfacethereof, may be beveled inwardly to the bore.

Also in this embodiment the tubular member is designed to conform to ashape of the handle on the baseball bat in a non-slipping relationshipwhen the handle is received therein. In addition, the plurality ofnub-like protuberances disposed on the inner surface engage the handleof the baseball bat in a gripping relationship when the tubular sleeveis placed thereon.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention there is provided ahandle grip for a baseball bat, comprising a tubular sleeve having aproximal portion with a proximal open end and a distal portion with adistal open end formed therefrom, a textured outer surface and a boredefining an inner surface from the proximal open end to the distal openend and with a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the innersurface, where the bore has a diameter at the proximal open end that isgreater than a diameter of the bore along the distal portion, where thediameter at the proximal open end tapers to equal the diameter along thedistal portion, where the tubular sleeve has a slit disposed lengthwisefrom the open proximal end to the open distal end through to the bore.

In this embodiment the distal open end is substantially flat across anouter surface thereof or the distal open end at the outer surface isbeveled inwardly to the bore. Particularly, the diameter of the bore atthe proximal open end is greater than 1 inch to about 1.5 inches and thediameter of the distal portion of the bore is about 0.80 inches to about1 inch. Also, the tubular sleeve may have a length and an outer diametersufficient to accommodate simultaneously both hands of a user grippedthereon when the tubular sleeve is placed on the handle of the sportsequipment. Particularly, the length is about 8.5 inches and the outerdiameter is about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches. In addition, thetubular sleeve is designed to conform to a shape of the handle on thebaseball bat in a non-slipping relationship when the handle is receivedtherein. Furthermore, the plurality of nub-like protuberances disposedon the inner surface engage the handle of the baseball bat in a grippingrelationship when the tubular sleeve is placed thereon.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention there is provided agrip device for a shaft of a hockey stick, comprising a hollow memberwith a substantially cuboidal body, a proximal open end and a distalopen end, comprising an outer surface; a bore that defines a cuboidalinner surface therein and a length extending between the proximal openend and the distal open end; and a slit disposed through the outersurface to the bore along the length of the hollow member; the outersurface and said cuboidal inner surface each having a uniform perimeteralong the length of the hollow member from the proximal open end to thedistal open end to securely and removably receive the shaft of thehockey stick therein.

Further to this embodiment the grip device comprises a plurality ofnub-like protuberances disposed on the cuboidal inner surface of thebore adapted to grip the shaft of the hockey stick when placed thereon.In another further embodiment a texture formed on the outer surface ofthe hollow member.

In all embodiments the cuboidal inner surface may be smooth. Also in allembodiments the hollow member has a length sufficient to accommodate onehand of a user gripped thereon when the grip device is placed on theshaft of hockey stick. Particularly, the length may be about 4 inches toabout 6 inches. Also in all embodiments the proximal open end may havean outer diameter of about 1.2 inches to about 2.6 inches and may havean inner diameter across the bore of about 0.65 inches to about 1.4inches. In addition the hollow member is designed to conform to a shapeof the shaft of the hockey stick in a non-slipping relationship when theshaft is received therein.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention there is provided agrip device for a stick handle on a hockey stick, comprising a hollowmember with a substantially cuboidal body, a proximal open end and adistal open end, comprising an outer surface with a uniform perimeteralong a length of the hollow member from the proximal open end to thedistal open end; a bore that defines a cuboidal inner surface thereinand comprises a stop member with an opening therethrough that is formedfrom the cuboidal inner surface that defines a pocket within the borenearer to the proximal open end and a length extending between theproximal open end and the distal open end equal to the length along theouter surface of the hollow member; and a slit disposed through to thebore along the length of the hollow member to securely and removablyreceive the stick handle of the hockey stick therein.

Further to this embodiment the grip device comprises a plurality ofnub-like protuberances disposed on the cuboidal inner surface distal tothe pocket adapted to grip the stick handle when placed thereon. Inanother further embodiment the grip device comprises a texture formed onthe outer surface of the hollow member.

In all embodiments the cuboidal inner surface may be smooth. Also in allembodiments the hollow member may have a length about 4.5 inches toabout 6.75 inches to accommodate one hand of a user gripped thereon whenthe grip device is placed on the stick handle of the hockey stick. Alsoin all embodiments the proximal open end and the distal open end mayhave equal outer diameters of about 1.2 inches to about 2.6 inches. Inaddition the proximal open end and the distal open end independently mayhave an inner diameter across the bore of about 0.65 inches to about1.75 inches, the inner diameter of the proximal open end at least equalto the inner diameter of the distal open end. Furthermore the hollowmember is designed to conform to a shape of the stick handle in anon-slipping relationship such that a knob on the stick handle of thehockey stick is disposed within the pocket when the stick handle isreceived therein.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention there is provided aset of grip devices for a hockey stick, comprising a first grip memberand a second grip member each comprising a substantially cuboidal hollowbody with an outer surface and having a length extending between aproximal open end and a distal open end thereon and having a uniformperimeter along the length thereof, a bore that defines a cuboidal innersurface therein with a length extending between the proximal open endand the distal open end equal to the length extending along the outersurface, and a slit disposed through the outer surface to the bore alongthe length of the hollow body; the second grip member further comprisinga stop member with an opening therethrough that is formed from thecuboidal inner surface and defines a pocket within the bore.

Further to this embodiment the set of grip devices comprises a pluralityof nub-like protuberances disposed on the cuboidal inner surface of thefirst grip member adapted to grip a shaft of the hockey stick whenplaced thereon. In another further embodiment the set of grip devicescomprises a plurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the cuboidalinner surface of the second grip member distal to the pocket adapted togrip the stick handle of the hockey stick when placed thereon. In yetanother further embodiment the set of grip devices comprises a textureindependently formed on the outer surface of the first grip member andthe outer surface of the second grip member.

In all embodiments the cuboidal inner surface may be smooth. Also in allembodiments the stop member may be formed from the inner surface withinthe bore of the second grip member nearer to the proximal open end. Inaddition the proximal open end of both the first grip member and thesecond grip member may have an outer diameter of about 1.2 inches toabout 2.6 inches, the proximal open end of the first grip member mayhave an inner diameter across the bore of about 0.65 inches to about 1.4inches and the proximal open end of the second grip member may have aninner diameter across the bore of about 0.65 inches to about 1.75inches. Furthermore the first grip member and the second grip membereach may have a length sufficient to accommodate one hand of a usergripped thereon when the first grip member and the second grip membermay be independently placed on the hockey stick handle. Particularly,the length of the first grip member may be about 4 inches to about 6inches and the length of the second grip member may be about 4.5 inchesto about 6.75 inches.

Also in all embodiments the first grip member and the second grip membermay be designed to independently conform to a different portion of thehockey stick, each in a non-slipping relationship when the hockey stickis received therein. Particularly, the first grip member conforms to aportion of the shaft of the hockey stick and the second grip memberconforms to a stick handle of the hockey stick such that a knob on aproximal end of the stick handle is disposed within the pocket when thestick handle is received therein.

Provided herein are grips, grip devices, grip members, and handle gripsadapted to be placed, affixed, applied or otherwise brought into contactwith the handles of sports equipment, for example, but not limited to,those handles for which both hands are required to grip to play thesport or for which both hands may be utilized at some point whileplaying, for example, a tennis racquet. These grips are form-fitting andconstructed or customized to firmly contact and engage the handle withthe inner surface of the grip without a user having to apply anadditional compressing force or squeezing force to the grip device tomaintain its position and/or to obtain the benefit of strengthening thehands, fingers, wrists, forearms, and upper arms. The increase indiameter and, optionally, length of the handle and concomitant increasein weight from the grip device or handle grip along its length requiresa user to automatically grip the handle harder with both hands duringpractice of the sport to develop strength through the natural swingmotions of the sport.

The grip devices and handle grips may have a length and outer diameterthat, when disposed on or engaged with the handle, is sufficient toaccommodate one or both hands in a grip appropriate for holding,swinging or otherwise moving the particular sports equipment required toconnect with, for example, a baseball, a golf ball, a tennis ball, or ahockey puck. This is an improvement over and lessens or removescomplexity from any grip strengthening device or system which requiresseparate devices for each hand. Alternatively, the grip devices andhandle grips may be customized for a specific pair of hands.

The grips, grip devices and handle grips are designed or customized toconform to the varied and unique shapes of the handles on the sportsequipment in a non-slipping relationship when the handle is receivedtherein. This eliminates problems from a “one size fits all” approach.The grips, grip devices and handle grips are made from a material thatdoes not compress when strongly gripped by a user. Such materials areknown in the art.

The inner surface of the grip may be smooth. The friction between theentire surface area of the inner surface of the grips and the outersurface of the handle keeps the grip positioned on the handle.Alternatively, the inner surface may be rough, for example, but notlimited to, a plurality of nub-like protuberances or nubs are disposedon the inner surface which keep the grip in position via friction.Although each nub has a smaller surface area with which to contact thehandle, the evenly distributed nubs over the inner surface provides aplurality of dedicated areas of friction to keep the grip in position.The outer surface of the grip may have a textured pattern formed thereonthat provides for a more secure grip for a user. A non-limiting exampleof a textured pattern or texture is a diamond pattern.

The grips have proximal and distal open ends. The surfaces across one orboth of the open ends of the grip may be flat, inwardly beveled orflared depending on the shape of the handle and/or the shape of theproximal end of the handle. For example, a golf club flares toward thegrip end of the handle and a baseball bat and a hockey stick have a knobat the handle end.

The grip device or handle grip may be adapted or configured for thehandle of a baseball bat. Generally, the grip device may be a hollowmember with a substantially cylindrical body or may be a tubular sleevea bore therein which defines or outlines an inner surface in the device.A slit is formed into the bore and along its length for easier insertionof the handle into the bore. The grip device may flex open along theslit to receive the handle, however, once positioned around the handle,the grip becomes form-fitting, is not compressible and is stabilized onthe handle by friction. The grip device or handle grip may comprise aplurality of nub-like protuberances formed on or disposed over the innersurface. The nub-like protuberances increase the friction between theinner surface and the handle.

The device generally has a uniform outer diameter along the length. Forexample, the outer diameter may be about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches,or alternatively, 1.75 inches to 2.2 inches. The bore may a uniformdiameter or inner diameter along its length. For example, the borediameter may be about 0.8 inches to about 1 inch, for example, 0.82inches or 26/32 inches, 0.91 inches or 29/32 inches or 0.97 inches or31/32. Alternatively, the bore may comprise a proximal portion and adistal portion. The proximal portion has a larger diameter at the openend that tapers to a diameter equal to a uniform diameter in the distalportion. The larger diameter of the proximal portion is sufficient toaccommodate the wider knob of the baseball bat handle. For example, atits widest, the proximal portion may have a diameter of greater than 1inch to about 1.5 inches and the distal portion may have a uniformdiameter of about 1 inch, for example, the 0.82 inches or 26/32 inches,0.91 inches or 29/32 inches or 0.97 inches or 31/32 described herein.

The grip device or handle grip may be adapted for the handle of a golfclub. The device has a structure similar to that adapted for a baseballbat. The handle grip generally may be a hollow member with a cylindricalbody or a tubular sleeve each comprising a textured pattern thereon anda bore therein which defines or outlines an inner surface in the device.The handle grip has a length sufficient to accommodate the hands in anyof the ways in which a golf club may be held. One end of the handle griphas a diameter greater than the opposite end to accommodate the shape ofthe grip end of the golf club. The handle grip also may optionallycomprise a slit disposed thereon and open to the bore as for thebaseball bat handle grip. The handle grip when placed over the golf clubgrip is form-fitting and is held in place by friction as with thebaseball handle grip and comprises a non-compressible material. Theouter dimensions, inner dimensions and length of the handle grip areadjustable and/or customizable depending on the size and configurationof the golf club.

The grip member or grip device may be adapted for the shaft of thehockey stick and for the stick handle with the knob of a hockey stick.Since a player's hands are spaced apart when gripping a hockey stick,there are two places on the hockey stick around which a grip member maybe placed. A first grip member receives the shaft of the hockey stick ata point distal to the stick handle on the hockey stick where the playerwould naturally grip the shaft with one hand. A second grip memberreceives the stick handle and knob on the hockey stick where the playerwould naturally grip with the other hand. During training the first gripmember and the second grip member may be used separately or may be a setused together.

Both the first grip member and the second grip member generally may be ahollow member or hollow body with a substantially cuboidal body or shapewith at least the top and bottom surfaces comprising a textured patternthereon and a bore therein that defines or outlines an inner surface,for example, a cuboidal inner surface. The inner surface or cuboidalinner surface defined by the bore may be smooth or may comprise aplurality of nub-like protuberances disposed thereon. In both of thegrips the outer surface of the hollow member each have a uniformperimeter along the entire lengths thereof from the proximal open end tothe distal open end. The grips comprise a slit disposed through to thebore along the length of the grip from the proximal open end to thedistal open end as for the baseball bat handle grip.

The second grip member has a stop member or stop formed from the innersurface or cuboidal inner surface or disposed within the bore that formsa pocket in the proximal end of the bore. The stop member may besubstantially rectangular in shape and has an opening formedtherethrough. In the second grip member the slit extends through theouter surface and through the stop member to the bore. The second gripis placed over the stick handle of the hockey stick such that the knobon the stick handle is positioned within the pocket formed by the stopmember. This provides additional securement of the second grip member onthe hockey stick.

The grips when placed over the shaft on the hockey stick and/or thestick handle and knob are form-fitting and are held in place by frictionwith or without the nub-like protuberances as with the baseball handlegrip and comprise a non-compressible material. Examples of suchmaterials are, but not limited to, silicone, rubber, polyurethane,neoprene, or nitrile, or a combination thereof. The outer dimensions,inner or bore dimensions and the length of the grips are generally sizedfor one hand, but are adjustable and/or customizable depending on thesize and configuration of the hockey stick. For example the hollowmember or first grip member may have a length of about 4 inches to about6 inches or about 100 mm to about 150 mm. The proximal open end may havean outer diameter of about 1.2 inches to about 2.6 inches or about 30 mmto about 65 mm and may have an inner diameter across the bore of about0.65 inches to about 1.4 inches or about 16 mm to about 35 mm. Thesecond grip member may have a length of about 4.5 inches to about 6.75inches or about 115 mm to about 170 mm. The proximal open end may havean outer diameter of about 1.2 inches to about 2.6 inches or about 30 mmto about 65 mm and may have an inner diameter across the bore of about0.65 inches to about 1.75 inches or about 16 mm to about 45 mm.Particularly, embodiments of the present invention are betterillustrated with reference to the Figure(s), however, such reference isnot meant to limit the present invention in any fashion. The embodimentsand variations described in detail herein are to be interpreted by theappended claims and equivalents thereof.

FIG. 1A is front view of the grip device 1. The view is a generaldepiction of the front surface 2 a of the grip device. The grip devicegenerally comprises an outer surface 2 with an open end 3 a and an openend 3 b. A slit 4 is disposed therethrough to the bore 5 (see FIG. 1C)and extends lengthwise along the front surface from the open end at 2 ato the open end at 2 b.

With continued reference to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B is back view of the gripdevice 1. The view is a general depiction of the back surface 2 b ofgrip device 1. The back of the grip device is a uniform surface disposedoppositely to the front surface between the open end 3 a and the openend 3 b.

With continued reference to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1C is a perspective view ofthe grip device 1. The view shows open end 3 a opening into one end ofthe bore 5. The bore defines the inner surface 6 of the grip device andshows some of the plurality of nub-like protuberances or nubsrepresented by 7 (see FIG. 3A) disposed thereon. The slit 4 is shownextended through to the inner surface of the open end 3 a at 4 a and at3 b (not shown) such that the slit will flex to receive the handle of abaseball bat therein against the nubs (see FIG. 4).

With continued reference to FIGS. 1A-1C, FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate thepattern of texturing on the grip device 1. FIG. 2A corresponds to thefront view shown in FIG. 1A showing the texture 8 formed on the outersurface 2 of the grip device such that area 2 c is not textured and issmooth. FIG. 2B corresponds to the back view shown in FIG. 1B betterillustrating the area 2 c. It is contemplated that text may be formed onor disposed on the smooth area. FIG. 2C corresponds to the perspectiveview of the grip device shown in FIG. 1C illustrating the texture on theouter surface 2 with respect to the area 2 c and the slit 4. The textureas formed well enables a user of the sports equipment to position thepalms and fingers of both hands on the textured surface to securely gripthe device. The grip device may also be textured over the entirety ofthe outer surface.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the grip device 1 depicted in FIG.1A. The bore 5 is shown with the plurality of nub-like protruberancesrepresented by 7 disposed on the inner surface 6. The diameter d1 of thebore is uniform from the open end 3 a to the open end 3 b. The outerdiameter d2 is uniform across the grip device.

With continued reference to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B is an alternatecross-sectional view of the grip device 1 depicted in FIG. 1A. The bore5 comprises a proximal portion 5 a and a distal portion 5B with theplurality of nub-like protruberances represented by 7 disposed on theinner surface 6 across the proximal and distal portions. The diameter d3across the bore at the open end 3 a at the proximal portion is greaterthan the diameter d1 across the bore at the open end 3 b at the distalportion. The diameter d3 tapers along the bore until it equals thediameter d1 of the bore along the distal portion. The outer diameter d2is uniform across the grip device. The greater diameter d3 enables thegrip device to flex apart sufficiently to accommodate the knob on thehandle of the bat when the handle is inserted into the device along thebore.

FIG. 3C depicts one configuration for the open ends 3 a and/or 3 b onthe grip device. The open end 3 a,3 b is beveled at 9 to the bore 5. Theplurality of nub-like protuberances 7 are shown on the inner surfacedefined by the bore and the slit 4 is shown through from the outersurface 2 to the bore.

With continued reference to FIG. 3C, FIG. 3D depicts anotherconfiguration for the open ends 3 a and/or 3 b on the grip device. Theopen end 3 a,3 b is level across 9 from the outer surface 2 to the bore5.

FIG. 4 illustrates the grip device 1 on the handle of a baseball bat 10.The device is flexed apart along the slit 4 so that the handle 10 a isinserted with the proximal open end 3 a at the knob 10 b. When inserted,the nubs along the inner surface of the bore (see FIGS. 3A and 3B)contact the surface of the handle such that the friction between each ofthem and the handle keeps the grip device in place without sliding.

FIGS. 5A-5C depict different views of a handle grip for a golf club 15.FIG. 5A is a view of the handle grip showing a tubular sleeve with anouter surface 16 with open ends 17 a,17 b. Open end 17 a has an outerdiameter greater than the outer diameter of open end 17 b. An optionalslit 18 is disposed through the outer surface to the bore 19 whichdefines an inner surface 20 (see FIG. 5C) and extends lengthwise fromthe open end at 17 a to the open end at 17 b. The handle grip may beslid over the grip end of the shaft of a golf club or, alternatively,with the slit may be flexed open along the slit to insert the grip endof the shaft therein. A textured pattern 21 to enhance grip is formed onthe outer surface of the handle grip such that area 16 a is not texturedand is smooth. FIG. 5B is a view better illustrating the area 16 a inrelation to the textured pattern. FIG. 5C is a perspective view of thehandle grip showing the open end 17 b opening into one end of the bore19. The slit 18 is shown extended through to the inner surface of theopen end 17 b at 18 b and at 17 a (not shown). The relationship of thetextured pattern on the outer surface with respect to the area 16 a andthe slit 18 is illustrated.

FIGS. 5D-5F are cross-sectional views of the handle grip. FIG. 5D showsinner surface 20, as defined by the bore 19, extending from open end 17a to open end 17 b. The outer diameter d4 at open end 17 a is largerthan outer diameter d5 at open end 17 b. The diameter d6 of the bore atopen end 17 a is larger than the diameter d7 of the bore at open end 17b but less than diameter d5. FIGS. 5E-5D are views of the open ends 17 aand/or 17 b on the handle grip showing the optional slit 18 through fromthe outer surface 16 to the bore 19.

FIGS. 6A-6H depict different views of the first grip member for a hockeystick 25 a. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the first grip deviceshowing a hollow member with a substantially cuboidal body with openproximal end 26 a and open distal end 26 b (see FIG. 6B), a top 26 c, abottom 26 d (see FIG. 6C) both with a textured pattern 27 disposedthereon and sides 26 e and 26 f (see FIG. 6D) which forms a bore 28therein that defines an inner surface 28 a, for example a cuboidal innersurface A slit 29 is disposed through side 26 f (see FIG. 6D) to thebore and extends lengthwise from the open end at 26 a to the open end at26 b. The grip device may be flexed open along the slit to insert theshaft of the hockey stick therein. FIG. 6B depicts the open end 26 b andslit 29 from the perspective of viewing the bore along its longitudinalaxis. FIG. 6C depicts bottom 26 d with the textured pattern 27 as on thetop 26 c. FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view through top 26 c and bottom26 d showing side 26 f and slit 29 disposed lengthwise along side 26 ffrom open end 26 a to open end 26 b. FIG. 6E is a cross-sectional viewthrough top 26 c and bottom 26 d showing illustrating that the innersurface 28 a of bore 28 is smooth. The inner surface may comprise aplurality of nub-like protuberances disposed thereon such as shown inFIG. 3A.

With continued reference to FIGS. 6A-6E, FIG. 6F depicts the second gripmember or second grip device 25 b. The second grip member comprises thefeatures shown in FIG. 6A and a stop or stop member 30 formed within thebore 28 to form a pocket 31 proximate to proximal open end 26 a. Stopmember 30 has an opening 30 a therethrough. Slit 29 (see FIG. 6G)extends through the stop member to the opening 30 a to access the bore28 so when flexed to receive the stick handle and knob of the hockeystick therein, the grip flexes open to the bore along the entirety ofthe length. FIG. 6G depicts the proximal open end 26 a and slit 29through stop member 30 from the perspective of viewing the bore throughthe opening 30 a along its longitudinal axis. FIG. 6H depicts the distalopen end 26 b and slit 29 as in FIG. 6B. FIG. 6I is a cross-sectionalview as in FIG. 6D showing side 26 f and slit 29 disposed lengthwisealong side 26 f from open end 26 a to open end 26 b and showing wherestop member 30 is positioned. FIG. 6J is a cross-sectional view throughsides 26 e and 26 f of the second grip member illustrating how thepocket 31 is formed by stop member 30. When positioned on the stickhandle of the hockey stick the pocket receives the knob on end of thestick handle (see FIGS. 6N-6O).

With continued reference to FIGS. 6G-6J, FIGS. 6K-6M show the nub-likeprotuberances represented by 32 on the inner surface of the second gripmember. FIG. 6K shows the nub-like protuberances 32 disposed on theinner surface 28 a through stop member 30 from the perspective ofviewing the bore 28 through the proximal open end 26 a and the opening30 a along its longitudinal axis (see FIG. 6G). FIG. 6L is thecross-sectional view of FIG. 6I showing the nub-like protuberances 32disposed on the inner surface 28 a distal to the stop member 30. Thetextured pattern 27 is seen on the outer surface. FIG. 6M is thecross-sectional view of FIG. 6J showing the disposition of the nub-likeprotuberances 32 on the inner surface 28 a distal to the stop member 30from another perspective.

FIGS. 6N-6O illustrate how the first grip member 25 a and the secondgrip member 25 b are positioned on the shaft 35 a of the hockey stickand on the stick handle with knob 35 b of a hockey stick 35. In FIG. 6Nthe first grip device and the second grip device are each flexed apartalong the slit 29 to open the bore 28 and the pocket 31. The shaft 35 aof the hockey stick is inserted into the first grip member with theproximal open end 26 a distal to the stick handle 35 b of the hockeystick. The stick handle and knob 35 b are inserted into the second gripmember so the knob is secured within the pocket. When inserted, thefriction between the inner surfaces or the nub-like protuberances of thefirst grip member and the second grip member in contact with the shaftof the hockey stick and the stick handle with knob, respectively, keepsthe first and second grip members in place without sliding. FIG. 6Oshows the first grip member 25 a and the second grip member 25 bcompletely encasing the shaft and stick handle and knob on the hockeystick 35 along slit 29. The first grip member and the second grip memberboth may receive the hockey stick from the right or left side or mayreceive the hockey stick from opposite sides.

1. A grip device for a shaft of a hockey stick, comprising: a hollowmember with a substantially cuboidal body, a proximal open end and adistal open end, comprising: an outer surface; a bore that defines acuboidal inner surface therein and a length extending between theproximal open end and the distal open end; a slit disposed through theouter surface to the bore along the length of the hollow member; and aplurality of nub-like protuberances disposed on the inner surface of thebore adapted to grip the shaft of the hockey stick when placed thereon;said outer surface and said inner surface each having a uniformperimeter along the length of the hollow member from the proximal openend to the distal open end to securely and removably receive and toconform to the shaft of the hockey stick in a non-slipping relationship.2. (canceled)
 3. The grip device of claim 1, further comprising atexture formed on the outer surface of the hollow member.
 4. (canceled)5. The grip device of claim 1, wherein the hollow member has a lengthsufficient to accommodate one hand of a user gripped thereon when thegrip device is placed on the shaft of hockey stick.
 6. The grip deviceof claim 5, wherein the length is about 4 inches to about 6 inches. 7.The grip device of claim 1, wherein the proximal open end has an outerdiameter of about 1.2 inches to about 2.6 inches and has an innerdiameter across the bore of about 0.65 inches to about 1.4 inches. 8.(canceled)
 9. A grip device for a stick handle on a hockey stick,comprising: a hollow member with a substantially cuboidal body, aproximal open end and a distal open end, comprising: an outer surfacewith a uniform perimeter along a length of the hollow member from theproximal open end to the distal open end; a bore that defines a cuboidalinner surface therein and comprises a stop member with an openingtherethrough that is formed from the inner surface to extendinteriorally into the bore and that defines a pocket within the borenearer to the proximal open end and a length extending between theproximal open end and the distal open end equal to the length along theouter surface of the hollow member; a plurality of nub-likeprotuberances disposed on the cuboidal inner surface distal to thepocket adapted to grip the shaft of the hockey stick when placedthereon; and a slit disposed through to the bore along the length of thehollow member to securely and removably receive and to conform to thestick handle of the hockey stick in a non-slipping relationship. 10.(canceled)
 11. The grip device of claim 9, further comprising a textureformed on the outer surface of the hollow member.
 12. (canceled)
 13. Thegrip device of claim 9, wherein the hollow member has a length about 4.5inches to about 6.75 inches to accommodate one hand of a user grippedthereon when the grip device is placed on the stick handle of the hockeystick.
 14. The grip device of claim 9, wherein the proximal open end andthe distal open end have equal outer diameters of about 1.2 inches toabout 2.6 inches
 15. The grip device of claim 9, wherein the proximalopen end and the distal open end independently have an inner diameteracross the bore of about 0.65 inches to about 1.75 inches, said innerdiameter of the proximal open end at least equal to the inner diameterof the distal open end.
 16. (canceled)
 17. A set of grip devices for ahockey stick, comprising: a first grip member and a second grip membercomprising: a substantially cuboidal hollow body with an outer surfaceand having a length extending between a proximal open end and a distalopen end thereon and having a uniform perimeter along the lengththereof, a bore that defines a cuboidal inner surface therein with alength extending between the proximal open end and the distal open endequal to the length extending along the outer surface, and a slitdisposed through the outer surface to the bore along the length of thehollow body; said second grip member further comprising a stop memberwith an opening therethrough that is formed from the cuboidal innersurface to extend interiorally into the bore and defines a pocket withinthe bore nearer to the proximal open end and with an inner diametergreater than an inner diameter of the bore; and a plurality of nub-likeprotuberances disposed on the cuboidal inner surface of the first gripmember and on the cuboidal inner surface of the second grip memberdistal to the pocket adapted to grip a shaft and a stick handle of thehockey stick, respectively, when said shaft and stick handle arereceived therein; said first member and said second member designed tosecurely and removably receive and to conform to the shaft and the stickhandle of the hockey stick in a non-slipping relationship. 18-19.(canceled)
 20. The set of grip devices of claim 17, further comprising atexture independently formed on the outer surface of the first gripmember and the outer surface of the second grip member. 21-22.(canceled)
 23. The set of grip devices of claim 17, wherein the proximalopen end of both the first grip member and the second grip member havean outer diameter of about 1.2 inches to about 2.6 inches, the proximalopen end of the first grip member has an inner diameter across the boreof about 0.65 inches to about 1.4 inches and the proximal open end ofthe second grip member has an inner diameter across the bore of about0.65 inches to about 1.75 inches.
 24. The set of grip devices of claim17, wherein the first grip member and the second grip member each have alength sufficient to accommodate one hand of a user gripped thereon whenthe first grip member and the second grip member are independentlyplaced on the hockey stick handle.
 25. The set of grip devices of claim24, wherein the length of the first grip member is about 4 inches toabout 6 inches and the length of the second grip member is about 4.5inches to about 6.75 inches.
 26. (canceled)
 27. The set of grip devicesof claim 17, wherein a knob on a proximal end of the stick handle isdisposed within the pocket when the stick handle is received therein.